Is Whitby Beach One Of The Cleanest in England? Here's Why It Just Won a Blue Flag Award

Whitby beach in North Yorkshire has just scooped one of the highest honours a beach can get—the Blue Flag Award for 2025. If you’ve ever walked its golden sands or watched the waves roll in while eating chips and dodging seagulls, this probably won’t come as a shock. But for anyone wondering what makes a beach 'officially brilliant', this news says a lot.

It’s not just about being pretty. The Blue Flag is basically the gold star of beaches. And Whitby isn’t just good—it’s the only beach in North Yorkshire to earn it this year.

What exactly is the Blue Flag Award?

Let’s put it this way: if beaches were restaurants, the Blue Flag is like a five-star hygiene rating, a Michelin star and a glowing Tripadvisor review all rolled into one. Run by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, the Blue Flag tells people, “Hey, this beach is clean, safe and pretty much smashing it on all fronts.”

To win one, a beach has to tick loads of boxes, like:

• Having super clean water (as in, meets the excellent rating by EU standards)
• Good access for everyone
• Safety measures like lifeguards and first aid
• Clear signs with info about local wildlife and ecosystems
• Proper waste management (so you’re not stepping over last night’s takeaway)

Basically, if a beach gets the Blue Flag, you know it’s being looked after properly. And in 2025, Whitby beach made the cut.

Whitby’s beach wins big in 2025

Out of all the beaches in Yorkshire and the Humber, only three were awarded the Blue Flag this year:

• Whitby (North Yorkshire)
• Hornsea (East Riding of Yorkshire)
• Withernsea (East Riding of Yorkshire)

So yeah, this is a bit of a big deal.

But it doesn’t stop there. Whitby also bagged a Seaside Award, which recognises other top beaches that might not meet the exacting standards of Blue Flag but are still top-tier in terms of cleanliness and management.

It joins other seaside spots like:

• Filey
• Robin Hood's Bay
• Scarborough North Bay
• Runswick Bay
• Sandsend

All great if you’re planning a beachy weekend without hopping on a plane.

Why people love Whitby so much

If you scroll through Tripadvisor, it’s full of happy visitors raving about how clean, big and beautiful Whitby beach is. One visitor said:

“Our first time visiting Whitby, and it certainly won’t be our last!!! There is nothing not to like about this place! The beach was beautiful and clean! With incredible views!!! I couldn’t believe how clear the sea was for the East Coast!”

Another review read:

“What a fantastic beach… we could take our dog on the beach and she had the most wonderful time running around. The views are marvellous… all in all, wonderful beach.”

That says it all really. Whether you’re a fossil hunter, a sandcastle builder, or someone who just wants a peaceful walk by the sea, Whitby delivers.

What this means for Whitby and local tourism

According to Keep Britain Tidy’s chief exec, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, this award isn’t just a nice certificate to hang in the town hall. It matters—both for the environment and the local economy.

She said:

“As an island community, the quality of our beaches and blue spaces is crucial to our environment and vital for our economy, particularly in terms of tourism and employment. Achieving this accreditation shows the commitment of beach managers and local authorities to protect them for years to come.”

So when we spend our weekends and holidays at beaches like Whitby, we’re not just enjoying a break—we’re helping to keep places like this alive and well for the future.

What makes a beach Blue Flag-worthy?

Here’s a quick checklist of what a beach has to do to earn the honour:

• Excellent water quality (not just good—excellent)
• First aid and lifeguards where needed
• Environmental education and info boards
• Litter-free with solid recycling systems
• Good access for everyone, no matter their needs

That’s a tall order, which is why only a few beaches get the flag each year.

Why this matters for families, dog walkers and staycationers

Let’s face it. Not everyone’s keen on hopping on a plane or splashing cash on fancy resorts. Especially when we’ve got beaches like Whitby right here.

For families, it means peace of mind—you know the kids are playing somewhere safe and clean.

For dog owners, it means your pup can stretch their legs and have the time of their life.

And for everyone else? It’s the reminder we sometimes need that you don’t have to travel far to find somewhere special.

Here’s a list of all 2025 Blue Flag and Seaside Award winners in Yorkshire and the Humber

Blue Flag Beaches:

• Whitby – North Yorkshire Council
• Hornsea – East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• Withernsea – East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Seaside Award Beaches:

• Whitby – North Yorkshire Council
• Bridlington North – East Riding of Yorkshire
• Wilsthorpe – East Riding of Yorkshire
• South Landing – East Riding of Yorkshire
• Filey – North Yorkshire Council
• Runswick Bay – North Yorkshire Council
• Cayton Bay – North Yorkshire Council
• Robin Hoods Bay – North Yorkshire Council
• Sandsend – North Yorkshire Council
• Scarborough North Bay – North Yorkshire Council

So, should you visit Whitby beach this summer?

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Absolutely yes.

Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, Whitby offers the kind of beach day that ticks all the boxes. Clean water, big views, and that feeling of being somewhere that truly matters. And now, with the 2025 Blue Flag Award flying proudly, it’s official.

Just don’t forget the suncream. And maybe a pasty or two.